Ely

Known best for its 11th century cathedral, the city of Ely offers visitors a destination heaped in history, with the surrounding Fens countryside and quaint city centre perfect for a weekend getaway.

If you’re looking to get away from the madness of city life, a trip to the small city of Ely in the heart of Cambridgeshire should be on your to do list. The former home of Oliver Cromwell, Ely also offers a beautiful cathedral, picturesque waterside and is surrounded by the untouched Fens countryside that’s perfect for walking.

Enjoy Ely days out with our trains, which will get you there quickly and comfortably from popular locations like Cambridge, Peterborough and London. With direct services running regularly from all of the main locations nearby, getting to Ely to enjoy a few days’ break couldn’t be easier.

Getting to Ely

Save yourself a drive and take the train over to Ely instead. We can have you up from London King’s Cross in just over 70 mins, across from Peterborough in less than 40 or complete the short hop from Cambridge in as little as 15 minutes on average. All services mentioned run direct to the city, meaning you can put your feet up and enjoy a trip through the countryside.

Getting to Ely shouldn’t cost the earth, either – no matter how many people you’re travelling with. If you’re taking a family trip over, make sure to check for Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak options on certain routes. Not only will they be cheaper for you, but you might find the kids are able to travel for just £2. For groups of adults (anywhere from 3-9 people), we’ve got GroupSave to offer discounts on a joint booking. And of course, Railcard users will be able to save up to 1/3 on their journey with us.

Things to do in Ely

A day out in Ely will always start with a visit to the cathedral. With origins stretching back as far as 672, the construction of the cathedral extended over nearly 300 years between the 11th and 14th centuries. A small admission fee will get you a guided tour around the ground floor, or you can pay extra to see one of the cathedral’s two magnificent towers.

While the cathedral is probably the headliner for the city, there are plenty of other things to do in Ely. You can get to know more about the city’s most famous resident by visiting Oliver Cromwell’s House, the revered Lord Protector’s family home still frozen in the 17th century. It also has an escape room themed around a murder plot of Queen Victoria.

There are numerous museums of note, included the Stained Glass Museum situated inside the cathedral, Ely Museum and Prickwillow, which tells the story of the drainage of the Fens that enabled this area to become such a valuable land for crop growing.

Many Ely days out will be spent outside the city, however, in the unspoilt Fens countryside that surrounds it. The Wicken Fen Nature Reserve is probably the best place to explore the true Fen landscape, offering rare wildlife and wetlands that are protected by the National Trust. There’s also the Burwell Museum in the area that paints a picture of life in the Fens through the years, while Anglesey Abbey Gardens and Lode Mill is another National Trust house featuring the organisation’s largest collection of clocks.

Quiet, scenic and rich in history, Ely days out are perfect for those looking to step away from the busyness of daily life. For more information on things to do in Ely, make sure to check the Visit Ely website. As for your travel arrangements, you don’t need to look any further than us. Why not book your tickets today?